Diet change to pellets -- HELP!

**Lynn-Anne** · 02-20-2007, 10:01 PM

Hey all!

I'm trying desparately to get Pickles to eat pellets instead of seeds because I know that they're way better for his health. So far I've mixed them in with the seeds -- he just eats around 'em. And I've put them in a small dish high up in his cage and he just goes over there and picks at them and throws them out. Like he's saying "Hey! Where's my seeds?! What's this crap for?!"

Has anyone sucessfully switched their bird over to pellets from seeds? Any suggestions or advice I'd seriously love. I want my little guy to be healthy and have a long life!

Thanks to all in advance!

**Lovebirdfan** · 02-20-2007, 10:54 PM

I don't know if you've done this already, but when I converted mine to pellets (they still get some seed though), I had to try several brands before finding one that they'd eat.

**Emery** · 02-21-2007, 09:53 AM

I got free samples from a few company's and my lovebird actually only liked the Harrison's (Harrison's High Potency Fine). It's the only one he would continue to eat so I'd reccomend getting a sample from them.

I kept mixing them in with his seeds and one day saw one in his mouth and he was eating it. I eventually added less seed and more pellets and now that's all he eats, with the occassional seed. Keep trying, it can be done.

**Ugerm** · 02-21-2007, 12:11 PM

I tried many different ways before I succeeded.

I think what worked in the end was when someone suggested soaking the pellets in hot water or a little fruit juice. But that actually only worked when I started sprinkling the soaked pellets with seed, so that when they picked out the seeds they would get a little taste of the pellets also. I served the pellet/seed sprinkled mix in the morning and only a small portion of seed in the afternoon. They had free access to fruit and broccoli all day so that they wouldn't starve.

You just have to try serving the pellets in different ways (and perhaps different brands) and be patient. It can be done. My lovebirds are not very adventurous when it comes to trying new things including new foods, it usually takes them a couple of monts to build up the courage to try.

Good luck - let us know how it goes

**boomer girl** · 02-21-2007, 01:34 PM

It took many differant kinds of pellets and many months to get my boomer to eat pellets. The only kind he would eat and I tried many of them was Roudybush crumbles which were also just a bit more broken up for him becuase he perfers them tiny, if you can find nibbles try them first. The Roudybush company offers great samples, look up the website and ask them to send you samples and you will be shocked at the size of them. I wished he liked the Harrisons, it is the best so try that one first then go for all the rest...

If you bird is hand tamed, I got boomer to eat pellets first by putting some in my hand and pretending to eat them, he always tries to eat our food so this is how I got him to try differant kinds of all food. I spoiled him for a bit by holding his pellets in a dish in my hand and before long he really started to love them.

**Ugerm** · 02-21-2007, 09:22 PM

Forgot to tell you that my lovebirds have tried 3 different kinds of pellets, NutriBird, Zupreem, and Harrisons. Their favourite is Harrisons, but I also feed them Zupreem, so they won't get too bored from eating the same pellet every day.

They also really like the Avian Entrees mixes from Zupreem, but they only get that once in a while - I'm not sure it is suitable as a main diet.

**sunblume1** · 02-22-2007, 02:36 PM

I also use Harrisons...it only took a few days until I noticed they were eating them. First mixed with seed and slowly decreased amount of seeds until it was all pellet.

**Roscoe's Mom** · 02-22-2007, 08:52 PM

My babies all eat pellets, but the ones undergoing conversion have taken over two months to switch. Just as Ulla said, mine love the Avian Entrees samples that some with their regular food, but I haven't compared the nutritional panels, and I don't know if Avian Entrees are as good as the regular Zupreem.

Everyone here has so far said that their birds prefer Harrison's! It makes me kind of regret our use of Kaytee. Anyway, it's taken forever to switch them. Just start using measuring cups, and decrease the pellet-to-seed ration by 2 teaspoons each week until they are on 100% pellets. It takes longer, but this way, they have plenty of time to adjust, and you know you are giving them ample opportunity to switch.